Members of Parliament unanimously agreed with the motion to raise awareness of anaphylaxis when they debated MP Dean Allison’s M-230 on Friday (read full debate here.)
Families of the Canadian Anaphylaxis Initiative (CAI) are very excited by the fact that there was all Party agreement and look forward to the next time M-230 is in Parliament later this Spring. CAI is looking for tangible steps to be taken in the weeks and months ahead. Watch for news of our efforts on the website cai-allergies.ca
If you are concerned about severe allergies and want to help, we are asking for you to take action in the weeks ahead. Contact your MP now. You connecting with your federally elected representative is the single, most important thing you can do to help support these efforts, on behalf of all Canadian families living with severe allergies.
Write. E-mail. Phone. Visit. If you can, briefly tell them your story and concerns at a MP’s BBQ or public event, or at their office. MPs are always interested to know what’s important to their constituents. Take every opportunity to:
- Tell them how important the Anaphylaxis Awareness Motion 230 is to your family.
(print off and share the press releases with them) - Talk about some of your challenges in trying to keep your loved ones safe.
- Ask if you can count on their support – and promise to be back in touch with news as it happens (you can forward news and background information as CAI posts new material).
Your actions are very important and will determine our ultimate success. Why? Each community’s voice needs to be heard in Parliament. MPs are often in their constituency offices meeting with local residents, as they want to help and learn what’s important to their constituents. If they hear first-hand the issues faced by allergic individuals and their families, it will help them better understand and put a face to the importance of this issue, and the need to act responsibly now. The more families they hear from – the better understanding MPs will have of how prevalent anaphylaxis is. So, when this matter is debated in Parliament, they will be supportive.
Friday’s House of Commons debate was an important first step in this awareness initiative. Now it is important to build on the success.
(ed. – Read more about the CAI’s 5-point plan of action.)
